Last edited by David Janes
Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
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Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, Thailand
clipped from Google - 02/2010
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Facts:
| Other names: | |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours: | |
| Rates: | |
| Website: | |
| Email: | |
| Telephone: | |
| Fax: | |
| Public Transport: | |
| Parking: | |
| First to Review: | David Janes |
Reviews
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(1 people find this review helpful)
Favorable
Attraction , Cultural Updated 526 days ago
When King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) decided to move the capital of Siam from Thonburi on the west to Bangkok on the east of the Chao Phraya River he decided to build a magnificent new palace as a place of residence as well as a centre of government. The area chosen was however occupied by Chinese merchants, whom he promptly asked to relocate (to the present day Yaowarat area).
The tower of gold began construction on 6 May 1782. At first the palace consisted of several wooden buildings surrounded on four sides with a high defensive wall of 1,900 metres in length, which encloses an area of 218,400 square metres. Soon the King ordered the building of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha; as the Monarch’s personal place of worship and royal temple. Once the palace was complete the King decided to under go a coronation ceremony to celebrate in 1785.
The plan of the Grand Palace followed closely that of the old palace in Ayutthaya. The Palace is rectangular shaped, with the western side next to a river and the royal temple situated to the east side, with all structures facing north. The palace itself is divided into three quarters: the outer quarters, the middle quarters and the inner quarters.
The palace became the centre of the Rattanakosin government and royal court for most of the early Chakri Dynasty until the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) who preferred to stay at the Dusit Palace, but still used the Grand Palace as an office and primary place of residence. This practice was followed by his sons (Rama VI and Rama VII) who preferred their own palaces. King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) moved into the palace full time after his return from abroad in 1945. However after his mysterious death a year later in one of the palaces inside the complex, his brother King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) who succeeded him decided to move permanently to the Chitralada Palace.
The Palace is however still very much in use; as many royal rituals are performed here by the King every year. Other royal ceremonies celebrated here are coronations; royal funerals, marriages and state banquets. The Palace grounds also contain the offices and buildings of the Bureau of the Royal Household, the Office of the Private Secretary to the King and Royal Institute of Thailand.
Review by Jodin V. Panganiban
Is this review helpful?
Favorable
Culture , Family , $ Updated 724 days ago
A great family day out. To see the palace properly allow yourself about 4 hours. Take care, if you travel to the palace by any sort of public transport, you may be told by your driver that the palace is closed and he will try to take you to an alternative destination, probably a tailors or jewelers.. DO NOT believe him. The Palace never closes. Be sure to wear respectful clothing, long sleeves and trousers, or you will have to queue up to borrow clothing from the palace, not exactly the height of fashion. Enjoy a memorable day.
Review by David Janes
